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Ontario Deere dealers to become one

Two Deere dealers with a total of 10 stores in Ontario will merge into one company.

Ten Canadian John Deere dealerships under two ownerships will merge into one in early May under the name Premier Equipment, according to a published report.

The stores formerly known as Elmira Farm Service and AgraTurf Equipment Services have a collective history that reaches as far back as 1955. Having both been cited by the John Deere program "Dealers of Tomorrow", the new company plans to continue to strive for excellence.

"Establishing this new entity will position us to meet the long-term needs of the farming, commercial and residential customers in southern Ontario," according to a statement from Brett Barriage, general manager of Elmira and chief executive officer of Premier Equipment.

The company will continue being of service to local-level customers while also selling equipment such as John Deere mowers and John Deere planters. It will exert effort into contributing to community and goodwill initiatives.

"Aligning our teams gives us the opportunity to provide us the strength and the stability within our marketplace ensuring the future for our staff and our customers," according to a video announcement posted for the two companies' 250-plus employees by Joe Fewer, Agra Turf general manager. "What this boils down to is we are positioning ourselves to grow with" our farmer customers.